Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/01/2022 PreS-K—Caballo wants to paint a mural, but he is not organized. His friend Mosca tells him that he has not thought it through and needs a plan. Caballo resists the advice, but as the plot advances, he realizes that Mosca might be right. Long offers a humorous installment in the "Caballo y Mosca" series. This Spanish edition of Paint It Out is set in large black font placed in rectangular speech bubbles accompanying the two characters in this story. The narrative is built with simple Spanish terms and some vocabulary words that are highlighted by the artwork. The illustrations, set in panels, move the narrative forward, utilizing sky blue and tertiary colors as background. Long's use of colors emphasizes the theme of this story and expresses the mood of the characters in this book. Although this early reader book's central theme is about preparedness, the painting aspect may be used in a preschool unit about colors. This book might also be used in a Spanish story time where preschool children will have fun with the stubborn horse and the helpful fly. VERDICT A colorful and humorous early reader book to introduce the concept of preparation when engaging in a project.—Kathia Ibacache - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/01/2022 This Spanish edition of Paint It Out! (a Horse & Buggy/Caballo y Mosca book) is a wonderful addition to the ¡Me gusta leer! line of beginning readers. Using only speech-bubble dialogue, the book’s simple Spanish text is appropriate for any intermediate Spanish speaker and reader. The colorful, comical illustrations follow graphic novel conventions, moving the story’s high jinks along through panels. Caballo wants to paint a mural, but when Mosca tells him he needs a plan before starting, Caballo asserts that an artist’s inspiration would only be limited by a plan. This is when the silliness begins and poor Caballo literally puts his foot in it (i.e., a bucket of paint). The mess keeps growing until Caballo realizes that maybe having a plan isn’t such a bad idea. Caballo breaks down and asks Mosca for help, and together they make Caballo’s ideas a reality. A funny, effective way to teach children when to ask for help and how taking the time to make a plan can make a big task much more feasible. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.